Side by side
| EDDM Retail | Marketing Mail (addressed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets it | Every address on chosen routes | Addresses on your list |
| List needed | No | Yes |
| Address line | "Postal Customer" or "Residential Customer" | Name or address on each piece |
| Shape | Flats only | Letters or flats |
| Minimum | 200 pieces | 200 pieces or 50 lb |
| Permit and fees | None | Permit plus $390 a year (and $390 to apply) |
| Postage | $0.260 per flat | $0.255 to $0.467 per letter, by sort level |
| Where it goes in | The Post Office for the routes | The office holding your permit, or further along the network |
How to choose
Choose EDDM if your customers are "everyone near me". It suits restaurants, home services and local retail, especially when you don't have a list or don't want to buy one.
Choose addressed Marketing Mail if you know who you want: past customers, homeowners of a certain type, businesses in an industry. You pay more per piece but waste fewer.
Use both if you have a customer list and want to reach new neighbors too. Saturate the area around you with EDDM and mail your list as addressed Marketing Mail.
Is EDDM the same as Marketing Mail?
EDDM pieces are USPS Marketing Mail flats, but they're delivered to every address on a route instead of to a list.
Which is cheaper?
Per piece, EDDM Retail ($0.260) is close to the cheapest saturation Marketing Mail letter ($0.255). Addressed automation letters cost more, from $0.395 at 5-digit.
Can I send letters through EDDM?
EDDM Retail accepts flats only.